Elizabeth "Beth" Alice Blackburn, 97, passed away Saturday, September 30, 2000, at the IOOF Home in Mason City.  There will be no services at this time as she has donated her body to the University of Iowa. Elizabeth "Beth" Alice Blackburn was born in Sterling, Colorado, April 3, 1903, the daughter of Fred and Martha Abraham. Beth was married to J.C. "Swede" Blackburn on August 20, 1924 in Smith Center, Kansas.  She was a graduate of Kearney Teachers College, in Kearney, Nebraska and taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Nebraska until she married. Beth and Swede moved from Campbell, Nebraska to a farm near Earlham, Iowa in 1939.  In 1951 they bought a farm near Britt and in 1964 they moved to their present farm north of Britt. For a number of years she taught in country schools and also in Woden and Algona.  She also taught handicapped students in the Britt area.  She received and Associate of Arts Degree from Mason City Jr. College in 1958. She was a member of the Rebekah's and the Methodist Church.  She loved gardening, fishing, and the outdoors.  Beth will be fondly remembered for her quick wit, driving ambition, love of adventure and passion for teaching. Surviving are her husband Swede of Britt, two daughters, Marilynn Jo Tolley and husband, Bill of Cape May, New Jersey, and Beverlee Burnet of Britt, 10 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, four brothers, and her great-grandson Ned Gibbons in 1994.